A FORMER teacher at the Oratory School in Woodcote has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing pupils.

The man, who is in his Fifties, was arrested near Chichester, West Sussex, on suspicion of gross indecency and indecent assault.

The offences are alleged to have happened at the Oratory from 1985 to 1989 and at Winterfold House School in Chaddersley Corbett near Kidderminster, from 1980 to 1985.

The man is in police custody at Chichester and being questioned by detectives from West Mercia Police.

Det Insp Adam Hartwright said: “The man who has been arrested taught at Winterfold House, which was then a boarding school but is now a day school and the Oratory boarding and day school.

“A number of alleged historic offences have been disclosed by former pupils and we are keen to speak to any other former students or staff who may have been at the schools at the relevant times and have information which would assist the inquiry.

“I must again emphasise these are historic allegations and that as far as we are aware the man has had no connection with either school since the Eighties.

“Both schools have been informed of the investigation and staff and governing bodies are co-operating with the inquiry in line with national guidelines.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dc Steph Dyer at West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000.